Pub disposals on the rise

A Yorkshire-based auctioneer firm has predicted that more pubs will come onto the market as hospitality companies try to cut costs.

Auctioneers Mark Jenkinson & Son of South Yorkshire has reported that they are seeing ever increasing numbers of pubs being put up for sale as their owners try to save themselves some money.

Jenkinson's Adrian Little said, “Providing security and paying the rates on empty pubs costs their owners an absolute fortune. A number of pubcos are asking themselves how much it would cost to get rid of the liability. There are a lot more to come,” he added.

The next auction held by the firm, on 21 September, in the Platinum Suite at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground, already has six pubs included in the listings.

Enterprise Inns owns five of the six pubs – The Crown at Walkley, The Cutlers Arms at Gleadless, The Star at Conisbrough, the Crinoline Bridge Inn at Rotherham and the Toll Bar at Maltby.

The other pub up for sale is the Woodman Inn, on Midland Road, Rotherham. Mr Little said, “The surprising thing is there is money still out there, if something is attractively priced, with potential.”